UNIT 5: LEARNER CHARACTERISTICS AND MOTIVATION

Contributor
Dr. S. RENUKADEVI
Professor & Head In-charge
Engineering Education, NITTTR, Chennai.

Module 1- Orientation towards Technical Education and Curriculum aspects NITTTR, Chennai
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE NO.

1.5 LEARNER CHARACTERISTICS 1

1.5.1 INTRODUCTION 1
1.5.2 STUDENT TYPES 3
1.5.3 STUDENT DIFFICULTIES 4
1.5.4 STUDENT MOTIVATION 4
1.5.5 CAUSES OF DEMOTIVATION IN STUDENTS 5
1.5.6 STRATEGIES OF MOTIVATION 6
REFERENCES 8

Module 1- Orientation towards Technical Education and Curriculum aspects NITTTR, Chennai
 Unit 5 Learner Characteristics and Motivation

1.5 LEARNER CHARACTERISTICS

LEARNER CHARACTERISTICS
1.5.1 INTRODUCTION

In this segment, we are going to learn about the psychological characteristics of Students. In
the teaching model, emphasis was given on Knowing about the Entering behavior of Learners.
Knowledge of the characteristics of learners is very important for teachers in the teaching
learning process. And most importantly we are dealing with technology savvy people who are
referred to as Digital natives.

Before we list the characteristics, it is important for us to understand the term ‘Personality”.

PERSONALITY

Personality is the brand image of the Individual. Personality is Qualities of a person which
differentiates himself from another person. Personality is Qualities present in a person which
is responsible for his success/failure.

Personality is the sum of the physical, Cognitive, Emotional and Social Characteristics of an
Individual.

ADOLESCENT PERSONALITY

In this segment we are focusing on the learners, who are in the middle and late adolescent
period (17-21 years). The adolescent also has a personality.

CHARACTERISTICS OF ADOLESCENCE

 Crucial and critical period

 A period of Stress and Storm

 A period of difficult adjustments

 Often characterized by outburst of energy

 A movement from adolescence to Adulthood.

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 Unit 5 Learner Characteristics and Motivation

LEARNER CHARACTERISTICS

The four characteristics are

 Physical Characteristics

 Cognitive Characteristics

 Emotional Characteristics

 Social Characteristics

Let us examine each of these characteristics in detail.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

 Rapid Intense growth

 Height and Weight

 Internal Organs

 Bone and Muscles

 Nutrition

 Personal calendar

 Inconsistent and Variable growth

COGNITIVE CHARACTERISTICS

 Increased ability of understanding

 Increased ability to generalize the facts

 Increased ability to deal with abstraction

 Development of Memory and Imagination

 Ability of Problem solving

 Increased ability to communicate with others

 Ability to make decisions

 Intellectual development reaches its peak

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EMOTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS

 Complexity

 Development of Abstract Emotions

 Emotional Feelings are Widened

 Capacity to Bear Tension

 Capacity of Sharing Emotions

 Loyality Expands

 Realism in Emotional Experiences

 Ability to Review Hopes and Aspirations

 Tolerance of Loneliness

 Increased Compassion

SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS

 Explore their personal identity

 Peer relationship takes over

 Possibility of negative peer pressure

 Often test teacher’s and parent’s rules and boundaries

 Self centered attitudes

 Personal / Recreational Interests

 Vocational Interests

1.5.2 STUDENT TYPES

 Compliant

 Anxious Dependents

 Independent

 Heroes

 Snipers

 Attention Seekers

 Discouraged workers

 Silent Students

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1.5.3 STUDENT DIFFICULTIES

 Poor concentration

 Easy distractibility

 Excessive sleepiness

 Lack of Motivation & Direction

 Fall in academic standards

 Skipping classes

 Rebelliousness

 Mood changes

 Sensitivity to criticism & Correction

 Bullying

 Social Media Addiction

 Inferiority and Superiority

1.5.4 STUDENT MOTIVATION

Motivation is the process by which individuals are impelled to seek a goal. Motivation
originated from the Latin word “Moveer” which means to move.

There are Many definitions in many perspectives

Some of them are as follows

DEFINITIONS OF MOTIVATION

According to Behaviouristic school , “ It is the why of behaviour”

Freud defines it as “Unconscious Impulse”

Maslow defines it as the “Process of need – drive satisfaction”

Hull says “it is the Process of Tension Reduction”

“The Impetus to do well” is by Mc Clelland

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CLASSIFICATION OF MOTIVATION

There are several classifications of Motivation, one of them being External and Internal
Motivation.

External

Money, Societal approval, fame or fear

Internal

Pride, Sense of Achievement, responsibility and belief

INTRINSIC VS. EXTRINSIC MOTIVATION

A Student who is intrinsically motivated undertakes an activity “For its own sake, for the
enjoyment it provides, the learning it permits, or the feelings of accomplishment it evokes”

An extrinsically motivated student performs “In Order to obtain some reward or avoid some
punishment external to the activity itself”

Students with an intrinsic orientation tend to prefer tasks that are moderately challenging,
whereas “extrinsically oriented” students gravitate toward tasks that are low in degree of
difficulty. extrinsically oriented students are inclined to put forth the minimal amount of
effort necessary to get the maximal reward.

1.5.5 CAUSES OF DEMOTIVATION IN STUDENTS

The various causes of Demotivation in students are :

 Change in Institutional Environment

 Incompatible Goals

 Unaware About Objectives

 Polluted Home/Social Environment

 Absent from the Class

 Difficulty in following classroom communication

 Scarcity of facilities and resources

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 Difficulty with Instructors

 Impractical expectations

 Preoccupied with insecurity

 Excessive control

 Improper use of leisure time

1.5.6 STRATEGIES OF MOTIVATION

The various strategies that May be used by teachers inside and outside the classroom are:

 Encourage students to set personal goal

 Be a role model and mentor to your students

 Discuss employment prospects to eradicate insecurity

 Create friendly environment in the classroom

 Discuss future scope of the subject in professional careers

 Clarify objective of the lesson

 Follow Learner centered approach than teacher centered approach

 Give appropriate feedback and reward

 Award test marks and grades according to merit

 Conduct seminar for the students by the students

 Acknowledge the contribution and participation of students

 Create competition in the academic work for students in areas such as project
work, assignments etc.

 Clarify doubts raised by students

 Deliver instructions and materials to suit the level of students (individual

differences)

 Use audio-visual aids including multimedia

 Encourage students in group discussion

 Organise industrial visits/educational visits

 Encourage students to participate in co-curricular activities

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 Organise individual counseling and group counseling sessions

 Make provisions for reward (both material and social) in order to satisfy students’
need for recognition. Punishment must be avoided to the extent possible.

 Create competition in the academic work for students in areas such as project
work, assignments etc.

 Nurture their growth needs.

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